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A taste of Mexi-Canada

Hi! I’m skipping this year’s sun vacation. Point me to some cool local spots where I can get a hit of Mexican art and music, and feel like I visited my favourite little city?

As someone who loathes winter and spends an inordinate amount of time fantasizing about sun-filled escapes, I’d like to offer my sincere condolences for whatever has caused you to skip this year’s vacation. Try a little harder in 2017, mmkay?

In the meantime, let me help you fake it ’til you make it (to Mexico) with the inside track on Mexican arts and culture in Toronto. Get your culo to the ROM for ¡Viva México! Clothing & Culture, a must-see exhibition of Mexican textiles showcasing the evolution of Mexican fashion and how it reflects that country’s history.

Feast your eyes on more than 150 colourful artifacts — many of which are on display for the first time — including costumes, sarapes (shawls), rebozos (scarves) and intricate embroidery and beadwork. While you’re there, snap up tickets for the April 16 event Modern Mexico: Fusions, Fashion and Folk Art, a full-day symposium exploring Mexican visual culture.

A devout Mexiphile like you is undoubtedly aware of all the new Mexican eateries that cropped up around the city last year — at least five by my count — but if you’re looking for a side of folk art with your tacos and guac, try El Sol on the Danforth. Half restaurant, half gallery, it’s worth a visit for the décor alone. Dozens of hand-painted suns, masks, ceramics and antiques line the walls, and owner Yolando Paez is only too happy to dole out lessons in Mexican art history alongside heaping platters of enchiladas and quesadillas.

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Unless you’re willing to hire your own private Mariachi band for the night — a not-impossible task, BTW — live Mexican music is pretty hard to come by in Toronto. But if you broaden your scope to include Latin America, a wealth of options opens up. Hit Lula Lounge every Friday and Saturday night for sultry salsa sessions (beginner classes are available for the uninitiated) or give your dancing shoes a workout at Dovercourt House on Sundays while you master salsa and Argentine tango. Olé!

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